In 1984 the re-named Alphaville released their debut single "Big in Japan", followed by "Sounds Like a Melody" and "Forever Young", quickly followed by the album Forever Young. Despite its success Frank Mertens left the band in the same year and was replaced by Ricky Echolette (born Wolfgang Neuhaus, in Cologne, August 6, 1960) in January 1985.
"Big In Japan" was their biggest U.S. success, shooting to #1 on Billboard's Dance chart. While they never again had a Top 20 U.S. Dance hit, several of their releases went Top 40 and Top 30 on the Dance charts. They were less successful at mainstream U.S. radio, reflected by their showing on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts, where "Big" only reached #66. The first U.S. release of "Forever Young" failed to scale the charts. In 1985, amid reports pop star Laura Branigan was featuring the song on her next album, Hold Me, Alphaville's "Forever Young" was re-released as a single in the U.S., and again floundered in the lower recesses of the chart. Branigan's version, though promoted on stickers adorning the album, subsequently remained an album cut in the U.S., though it was released to radio in South America. She would go on to perform the song as an encore at nearly every concert she performed, from her 1985 tour until her death in 2004. The Alphaville version was released a third time in the U.S. in 1988, to promote Alphaville: The Singles Collection, and peaked this time at #65. Their highest U.S. Singles chart showing, it was also their last. International re-releases of Alphaville's "Forever Young" followed in 1989, 1996, and 2001. Several covers have been recorded and remixed, featuring male or female vocalists often erroneously attributed to be Alphaville's Marian Gold, or Laura Branigan.
In 1986 the second album Afternoons In Utopia was released, followed in 1989 by The Breathtaking Blue. As an alternative to individual music videos, the band enlisted nine producers, among them Godfrey Reggio (Koyaanisqatsi), to create a film entitled Songlines based on the album's tracks.
The next album, Prostitute, was not released until 1994. In 1996 Ricky Echolette left the band. Salvation followed in 1997. Stark Naked and Absolutely Live was released in 2000, followed by the remix album Forever Pop in 2001. A DVD was released in 2001 documenting two concerts performed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two box-sets have also been released; rather than being collections of previously released album tracks they are actually 12 unique albums, several live, several rarities and outtakes, and several newly recorded. The first box, of eight discs, was released in 1999 (called Dreamscapes) and the second in 2003 (called CrazyShow or Dreamscapes 9-12). All the material in CrazyShow is newly recorded.
Bernhard Lloyd did not contribute to the CrazyShow album, and shortly after its release, on March 18, 2003 he officially left the group. The current core members of Alphaville are Marian Gold (vocals), Martin Lister (keyboards), David Goodes (guitars) and Pierson Grange (drums).
" Just a note to say Bernhard Lloyd is/has/recently played live with Alphaville. I saw him at the Esbjerg Rock Festival in June of this year. They sounded absoutely brilliant. Check out the Alphaville website, it's worth a look. Added by Fletchie, 02.11.07"
Marian Gold has released two solo albums (So Long Celeste, 1992 and United, 1996) alongside his work in the band. Bernhard Lloyd also worked on a project named Atlantic Popes with singer Max Holler. In 1996 Frank Mertens started on a musical project called Maelstrom which was a combination of ambient-style music, impressionistic and colorful art in the form of paintings and sculptures, and etheric poetry. This project seems now to have been by far abandoned, though, as Mertens has not been visibly active with it. In 2006 and 2007, Alphaville appeared on the "ELEKTRISCH" vol.1 and 2 album compilations with "From Germany With Love" and "Guardian Angel".
There is another artist with the same name:
2) A spanish Synthpop/dark/post punk group born in 1981 in Madrid by José Luis F. Abel (guitar & vocal), Mendi (bass), José Carlos ‘Charles’ Sánchez (keyboards), Jose Luis Orfanel (guitar) and Juan Antonio ‘Rep’ Nieto (drums).
The independent label DRO released their first EP in April 1982, "Paisajes nocturnos", which included four tracks. Their first hit arrived some months later with the 4-tracks 12'' "Palacio de invierno". In 1983 they released the album Despues De La Derrota.
Change the World
Alphaville Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the difference is in the way...
the difference is in the way we are as people
the difference is the sum of what we are
so look at the things that join us together
and take away the things that pull us apart
ooh, we can change the world...
the light that draws us through the tunnel of perception
that makes us shield our eyes
just believe in the idea and its purity
no need to question its source,
no need for lies
ooh, we can change the world...
love of my life, we can change the world...
we can change...
changes...
the magnetism
that you feel inside
draws you closer
to the heart of the matter
and the wisdom
that you see outside
is only a mattter
of learning
and forgetting
ooh, we can change the world...
love of my life, we can change the world...
The lyrics of Alphaville's "Change the World" convey a message of hope and unity to the listeners. The song calls for a change in the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us. The key message is that we can make a difference if we focus on what unites us instead of what divides us. The song highlights the importance of compassion, love, and understanding as the driving forces in bringing about change in the world.
According to the lyrics, the difference is in the way we are as people, and our sum can make a significant impact. The song mentions that we should focus on the things that bring us together rather than those that tear us apart. The song defines the light that leads us through the tunnel of perception as better than the light that causes us to shield our eyes. The song encourages belief in the idea and its purity and rejects the need for lies.
The song acknowledges the magnetism that draws us to the heart of the matter and the wisdom that comes from learning and forgetting. In essence, the song highlights that we can achieve a better world by being better humans who are willing to learn, grow, and work together for a common good.
Line by Line Meaning
we can change the world...
It is within our power to make a positive impact on the world around us.
the difference is in the way...
The key to change lies in how we approach and enact it.
the difference is in the way we are as people
Our individual qualities and characteristics play a role in how we contribute to change.
the difference is the sum of what we are
Our collective selves, including our strengths and weaknesses, determine the magnitude of change we can create.
so look at the things that join us together
Focusing on commonalities, rather than differences, can help bring about unity and cooperation.
and take away the things that pull us apart
Removing factors that divide and create conflict can lead to a more harmonious society.
ooh, we can change the world...
Reiterating the power we hold to make a positive impact.
the light that draws us through the tunnel of perception
Hope and optimism shine a path through difficult times and challenges.
is brighter than the light that makes us shield our eyes
The brightness of positive change overshadows the negativity and fear that can hold us back.
just believe in the idea and its purity
Having faith in the goodness and integrity of our intentions can fuel our pursuit of change.
no need to question its source,
Doubting the origins of our motives can impede progress and action.
no need for lies
Honesty and transparency are important values in our pursuit of change.
love of my life, we can change the world...
Addressing a loved one, emphasizing the importance of working together to create change.
changes...
Repetition of the word 'changes' as a reminder of our goal and potential.
the magnetism that you feel inside
An internal drive or pull towards creating positive change.
draws you closer to the heart of the matter
This pull helps us understand and focus on what is truly important.
and the wisdom that you see outside
Observing the world around us and learning from it can lead to greater understanding and effectiveness in creating change.
is only a matter of learning and forgetting
Wisdom is something that is gained and lost throughout life, but its importance in our pursuit of change remains constant.
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Giorgia Pierfederici
Amazing 💎.